The NBA's triple-double leaderboard is littered with All-Stars and ALL-NBA selections across the board. For instance, eight of the top 10 players in tripe-doubles were just, or have been, All-Stars. The two players ranked within the top 10 who have never made the vaunted team were New York Knicks' do-it-all forward Josh Hart and Chicago Bulls' floor general Josh Giddey.
Unlike Hart, Giddey has always been a triple-double threat. The 30-year-old Knick has recorded 15 triple-doubles throughout his eight-year career, with all 15 coming over the past two seasons in New York. On the other hand, Giddey has recorded 18 triple-doubles in his four-year career, with four coming as a rookie, four as a sophomore, three in his third season, and seven this past season, as a member of the Bulls.
Giddey's seven triple-doubles a season ago placed him seventh in the association, immediately behind Cade Cunningham's nine, and five slots below Giannis Antetokounmpo's second-place 11. While Giddey was within reach of Antetokounmpo's mark, he, like the rest of the NBA, was nowhere near overtaking Nikola Jokic's 34 triple-doubles.
Giddey winning the triple-double crown is a high possibility
Nonetheless, there's a high likelihood that Giddey challenges Jokic's crown as the triple-double king—one he's held for three of the last four seasons.
The Aussie's post-All-Star break stats have been well-documented. The statistical surge coincided with Giddey’s expanded role following Chicago’s decision to move on from Zach LaVine, who had previously paced the team in usage rate. Prior to the All-Star break, Giddey held a 20.0 usage rate. Following the midseason festivities, Giddey's usage rate increased to 24.5 percent.
Coincidentally, the 6-foot-8 floor general recorded five of his seven triple-doubles from February 20 onward. That's five triple-doubles in 19 appearances. Extrapolated over an 82-game season, Giddey would have recorded 22 triple-doubles—12 short of Jokic's sky-high total.
Yet, 22 triples-doubles would have led the league as recently as 2021-22. Moreover, 22 would have ranked second this past season, third in the 2023-24 season, and second in the 2022-23 season. Giddey's extrapolated total isn't far off from knocking Jokic off the top of the totem pole. It wouldn't be preposterous to expect Giddey to pace the league in 2025-26, especially as he begins the season as Chicago's primary playmaker.
The Aussie will enter the forthcoming season both (likely) handsomely paid, yet still intent on proving himself. It's only a matter of time before Chicago and Giddey come to a contract resolution, but it surely won't be up to his $30 million asking price. Thus, playing with a chip on his shoulder is almost a prerequisite for the soon-to-be 23-year-old.
While Giddey will enter the 2025-26 campaign as the Bulls' lead playmaker, Jokic will, of course, assume the same role for the Denver Nuggets, but will be joined by plenty of new faces and enter the upcoming season under the tutelage of new(ish) Head Coach David Adelman. There's really no arguing against Jokic—he's the best player in the world. But if there were to be a true challenger to usurp the three-time MVP as triple-double king, it's Giddey.